Work gave me some free time so I got to go out test my 185gr Berger VLD's today, accuracy was great using 77gr of H-1000. I was able to get out to 300yds and my groups were staying at 1.5-2.0" for five shot groups. I think I'll be staying with the bergers as they seem to group well for me. I'm going to try some 190's and maybe 210's over the winter. so far I'm really enjoying my savage rifle I haven't done anything to it, but I do need (want) a different scope so think I may consider selling my vortex viper and getting a Sightron SIII in the 6-24 power.

Sweet. Savage has really made waves these last couple years especially, Berger has as well. Glad to here yours is running like it should. Can't go wrong with a sightron siii.................... I still swear the 6-24x50 is the best thing since sliced bread.

Read that article maximizing accuracy with vlds(something like that )the techniques also work for other bullets. Also try different primers in your work ups. I loaded a rem 700 .300 winny for a friend touching lands. With 4831sc 165sst.all thru same whole. That load killed a mulie at 300 and a cow elk @ 420. He'll shoot 180sst next year or maybe vlds he want to add a muscle break for recoil.

kbaerg,
Just getting in on the tail end of this thread, just wanted to say that's a nice looking "thunder-stick" you got yourself. I like the Savage rifle also and have been thoroughly pleased with both of mine. I have an older 112BVSS in .300WinMag and a 12BVSS (actually a LA) in 6.5-284Norma.
I still shoot my Remington Sendero SF in .25-06 and Winchester HVB in .243 but the Savage's hang right there with them, for a couple Benjamin's less.
I haven't shot the 190gn Berger VLD but have shot the 190gn Sierra MatchKing (SMK) with H1000 and the CCI 250 primer. My testing was from 79.0 to 80.5 in 1/2 gn increments.

Currently shooting the 185gn Berger VLD ahead of 79.5gn of H1000 and CCI250 primers. This gives me a modest 3095fps and accuracy was .431" @ 100yds. A 1/2gn bumps it up to 3135fps and accuracy was @ .533". I went with the lighter load because the ES and SD were a bit lower, deer season was coming and I figured it would make a better long range load but not sure it matters. I know neither me or the rifle can shoot the difference at 500yds and beyond. The deer probably won't know the difference either!
Good luck and happy shooting. JohnnyK.